I've always treated homosexuality in the same way right-handed people treat left-handed people. They know that there have always been left-handed people there always will be. They are born like that. They will always be left-handed but matter how much time you spend with them you won't become...
I think perhaps I was not being clear. I did not mean that I choose not to believe only on the basis of being told by someone else, I mean that I cannot stop myself from considering the statement in the context of my own memories and experiences and making a judgement as whether to...
I cannot believe something only on the basis of being told by someone else. The instant I am told something, my decision to believe it will always be influenced by my prior understanding of reality and my innate skepticism.
Do you mean that freedom is a reality but using the scientific method would lead to the conclusion that freedom is not a reality? Whose freedom are you describing and what are they free to do?
I think a lot depends on your personal circumstances mrhamed19, such as whether or not you are financially dependent on your parents and what their reactions are likely to be if you share your new thoughts about their religion. It may be that you will have to keep your thoughts secret, at least...
What excuses have I made? I have quoted some bible passages from memory. I have admitted to mocking and ridiculing a book. I have not advocated intolerance or hate nor would I ever.
You have made a claim to posses knowledge which cannot possible have, namely the extent of the real study I have undertaken and my knowledge of the bible. It is possible to look at text with an unbiased eye without believing it to be a true description of reality. Oh come on now, accusations of...
Don't straw man me. I made no such ad hominem (to the person) attack. I am mocking and ridiculing the contents of a book, not a person. There is a big difference. You may find it outrageous and think I'm disingenuous but there's not much I can do about that. However you have used the word...
Tiresome? Tough.
Juvenile? I suppose that's meant as an ad hominem attack. Nice.
Ridicule? Of course.
Novel? Not likely when the subject matter is so old.